Gun owners oppose bill requiring childproof 'smart gun' technology

The Staten Island Advance (NY) ^ | April 10, 2004 | MICHAEL SCHOLL

[neverdem]

Bill would require guns sold to be "personalized" so that they can be fired only by authorized adult users

A City Council bill that would require guns to be equipped with childproof "smart gun" technology has been blasted by Staten Island gun owners as a dumb idea.

The bill, to be introduced later this month by City Council Speaker Gifford Miller (D-Manhattan), would require guns sold or possessed in the city to be "personalized" so they can be fired by authorized adult users only.

Miller and the bill's co-sponsors believe fingerprint scanners and other high-tech gizmos could be used to prevent guns from being fired by unauthorized users, especially by children who discover guns in their homes and accidentally shoot themselves or their friends.

"We know that there are sensible technologies that are right on the horizon that can reduce these terrible tragedies, that can eliminate the sorts of accidents that take young kids' lives," Miller said yesterday during a City Hall press conference unveiling the legislation.

Smart-gun technology is currently not commercially available, so the bill wouldn't take effect until three years after the technology is first introduced on the market. The measure also includes exemptions for law enforcement officers and guns purchased before the legislation takes effect.

But gun owners on Staten Island believe the bill is another attempt to infringe on their rights to keep and bear arms.

"They aim to disarm us," said Tony Castellano, membership director of the Staten Island Sportsmen's Club, which operates a trap-shooting range at 170 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield.

Castellano argued that the bill, if enacted, would be ignored by criminals who own illegal guns. A crackdown on gun-toting criminals would accomplish the city's public safety goals without infringing upon the rights of law-abiding gun owners, he said.

"Enforce the laws that we have and you won't any problems," Castellano said. "We don't need any more laws," he added.

Other Island gun owners said the smart-gun devices envisioned by the bill either won't work or will be too expensive for the average gun-owner.

"It's not feasible,"said one member of the Richmond Boro Gun Club in Charleston.

But Miller said a hike in gun prices was not necessarily a bad thing.

"I have no problem with the cost of guns going up,"said Miller, a possible mayoral candidate in 2005."We should be making guns more difficult for people to have access to, not easier."

Miller later added that he didn't think smart-gun devices would lead to a significant increase in gun prices.

"Costs continue to come down for all these kinds of devices," Miller said.

The bill will be formally introduced during the City Council's April 21 meeting. Similar legislation already has been adopted by the state of New Jersey.

Michael Scholl covers City Hall for the Advance. He may be reached at scholl@siadvance.com.

[neverdem]

City Council Speaker Gifford Miller (D-Manhattan), is term limited to one one more term after this one, so he's trying to build a resume' on baloney legislation "for the children", pandering to the fears of the ignorant.

[neverdem]

BANG

[GeronL]

"I have no problem with the cost of guns going up,"said Miller, a possible mayoral candidate in 2005."We should be making guns more difficult for people to have access to, not easier."

Remember, there are Makers and there are Takers. This guy is a Taker.

[neverdem]

This guy's a rat from NYC, 'nuf said. The only pubbies that can be elected from this place are almost always RINOs, with rare exceptions that you could probably count on one hand. Bloomberg is a rat in RINO clothing.

[Travis McGee]

Bang!

[Prime Choice]

I would put a hostile amendment to that bill that'd be certain to kill it every time it comes up.

The wording would be simple and direct: these "safe" guns must be first field-tested for five years...by the city police.

That in itself would kill the bill every time.

If it ain't good enough for the cops to defend their own lives, then why should it be "good enough" for me to defend my home and family?

[Travis McGee]

"The measure also includes exemptions for law enforcement officers..."

One set of laws for the masters, another set of laws for the serfs. How about we let the police test these technologies for a few years, to make sure they're "safe enough" for us mere unwashed civilians?

[Ken H]

One set of laws for the masters, another set of laws for the serfs. How about we let the police test these technologies for a few years, to make sure they're "safe enough" for us mere unwashed civilians?

This proposal manages to violate both the Second Amendment and the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Not that such things matter to gun grabbers.

[Travis McGee]

"Constitution? We don't need no stinkin' Constitution!"

[neverdem]

If it ain't good enough for the cops to defend their own lives, then why should it be "good enough" for me to defend my home and family?

I think this should be the most salient argument because politicians that love the issue jump upon LEOs killed with their service firearms, yet most LEOs say don't do me any favors.

[Smokin' Joe]

There are three main reasons the police don't want this:

Reliability

Reliability

Reliability

The technology does not work every time, and prevents a partner or bystander from using the officer's gun to defend a wounded officer.

[Clemenza]

My neighborhood had one of the last gunshops left in Brooklyn (a block away from Fort Hamilton). It closed two months after I moved in. The city has made it near impossible to sell firearms in the five boroughs, let alone gunowners.

[neverdem]

The city has made it near impossible to sell firearms in the five boroughs, let alone gunowners.

The city is selling gunowners? To whom, Kofi Annan? His security detail or Sudan? ;^)

[Clemenza]

Its 5AM, I just finished putting together a presentation for my Business Policy Class and I have not gotten a wink of sleep. What I meant say is that this city is hell on both gun dealers and gun owners, smarta-s. :-)

[Thinkin' Gal]

We know that there are sensible technologies that are right on the horizon that can reduce these terrible tragedies, that can eliminate the sorts of accidents that take young kids' lives," Miller said yesterday during a City Hall press conference unveiling the legislation.

VeriChip microchips are shown Tuesday, April 13, 2004, in Palm Beach, Fla. The new computer chip promises to keep police guns from firing if they fall into the wrong hands. The tiny chip would be implanted in a police officer's hand and would match up with a scanning device inside a handgun. If the officer and gun match, a digital signal unlocks the trigger so it can be fired. But if a child or criminal would get hold of the gun, it would be useless. (AP Photo/Steve Mitchell)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/040413/480/fsm60204132038&e=15&ncid=705

Of course, they'll just have to "field test" these little gems on the law-abiding citizens. No chip no firearm, just like the way pet ownership is going. These devices will be considered a success, if they can be deactivated remotely by law enforcement, and even better, are tracked by same. Removing, maiming, or otherwise deactivating chips will be a felony. Not that this would deter felons, but for you second amendment "wackos", the hammer's coming down. For the children.

[neverdem]

Pardon me, but I couldn't resist. If you grew up in NYC, then you know what B*ll Busters New Yorkers are naturally. Hit me with your best shot. You're entitled. No problem. As my long lost father said, "just funning around".

[neverdem]

BTW, good luck with your class!

[armymarinedad]

A couple of thoughts.
1. Nothing is "childproof" so teach children about guns. Then you can have smart kids instead of smart guns.
2. Require any and all costs incurred by gun mfg. to be covered by gun control advocacy groups. They want it they should be willing to pay for it.

[Travis McGee]

They'll have to implant that chip in my dead body. But first, I'll be implanting lots of lead.

[from occupied ga]

pandering to the fears of the ignorant.

That would be the majority of New Yorkers